[What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Development] [Education] [Masonic Talks] [Masonic Magazines Online]
[Articles] [Masonic Books Online] [Library Of All Articles]
[What is New] [Links] [Feedback]

 Masonic quotes by Brothers

EXPLANATION - THE POINT AND THE CIRCLE

by Clarence

The oldest reference to a point within a circle that I can find in a Masonic context is in La Reception Mysterieuse, a French exposure published in 1738. It comes in the catechism of the Fellowcraft degree:  

Q. How many fundamental elements are there for Masons?
A. In know four of them.  

Q. What are they called?
A. The Point, the Line, the Surface & a Solid Body.  

Q. Explain that.  
A. The Point or the central Point prevents the Master making any mistake in drawing the circumference, the Line is length without breadth, the Surface is length with breadth, a Solid body comprehends the whole.  

While much of La Reception Mysterieuse is very close to Prichard's Masonry Dissected, this particular explanation of the Point as allowing the Master to draw an accurate circumference does not appear in Prichard. A similar explanation appears in the Wilkinson Manuscript, which probably dates from a couple of decades later.  

My speculation is that the point within the circle and the two parallel lines were originally separate symbols. I would guess that this relatively simple explanation of the point within the circle is the original usage, and the more elaborate explanation in the present lecture is derivative.  

back to top

To translate this page to any language, click below and go to the bottom of the page

[What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Development] [Education] [Masonic Talks] [Masonic Magazines Online]
[Articles] [Masonic Books Online] [Library Of All Articles]
[What is New] [Links] [Feedback]

Legal Disclaimer

This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United States or elsewhere.
It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion
of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any
other regular Masonic body other than those stated.

Books published prior to 1923 are online according US Pre-1923 Public Domain Rule.
The papers published are the responsibility of the authors.
Many Articles Taken from Various Sources.

A very sincere effort was made to avoid using any copyrighted material,
without permission, in the creation of this web site.
If you discover something that is yours without giving you due credit,
please let me know and due credit will be given or the item will be replaced.

For any copyright infringement claims please contact me.

Send email with questions or comments about this web site to webmaster.
Site Design Copyright © 2001 Joe M. Sanchez
Last modified: July 08, 2007